Stringing and Shooting old bows?

[HuronArcher]

Today I received a new string for a 64" '59 Kodiak. Aside from using a bow stringer, are there any precautions I should take prior to shooting the bow.  

The string is 60" B-55 14 strand.

thanks,

Rudy

[Blackhawk]

Yes, the tip overlays can be a source of problems.

Also make sure your arrow weight is enough that it will not cause undue stress on the limbs/riser.  For my oldies, I like 10-12 gr. per lb. of bow weight.

[Horney Toad]

Sometimes I'll string an old bow and leave it strung a day or two before I shoot it.

[Hobow]

Has anyone reglued the original phenolic tips with any success?  I often hear of replacing them but what if you want to keep a bow original and still shoot it?  Any reason why it wouldn't last another 50 years?

[oldbohntr]

Hobow: Not in my opinion!  I shoot Widows, Drakes, Bears, Wings, Howatts, Hoyts, and others from the 50s and 60s all the time. And, a lot of them with strings that might surprise you!  Have for 20-25 years.  Yes, it's wise to watch for problems.....same as with cedar arrows, or a lot of other things.  Keep your "lady" on a pedestal if you want.  I don't.  I want to see what they can do -and it's a lot!

Now, to your original question: yes, phenolic tips can be reglued.  I wouldn't worry about it until they separate.

[Hobow]

Thank you for the reply Tom, I love shooting mine too!  I have a nice '59 Grizzly with really nice tips that just has the smallest hair of separation at the very point of the lower tip.  I didn't want to replace them if a little Loctite 420 will do the job.  There are no other cracks or damage to the tips.

Thanks again,
Brad

[oldbohntr]

Brad,
420s the cat's meow! And it might well make the tip hold for you.  I'd try it.  But my experience with the Bear paper micarta overlays is they have gotten awfully brittle over the years.  At least one that I've ground off just crumbled. Bowdoc or someone else who's done a lot more of them will know better than I do.  

I've got a great 55# '59 Griz with original tips that I shoot often.  And I hunted for several years with a 65# '59 Kodiak-shot it every day a lot. It finally blew an overlay in the middle of a hunt, but the limb stayed together.  It's back in service with phenolic overlays, but I'm too weak to shoot that weight any more!!  Anyway, blowing a tip overlay doesn't necessarily destroy the limb.

[Bjorn]

Brad, I have painted cracked micarta tips with 420 and they soak it up. I did a pair on a 59 grizzly a few years ago that were goners-nothing to loose. They are still there and one of them was cracked right down the string groove. The 420 fixed it right up.

[Hobow]

Tom, that's a shame about the '59 Kodiak becoming too heavy, I love those!  The '59 Grizzly is one of my favorites, I'm very lucky to have it.  I'm going to give the 420 a try this weekend as the tips appear very solid except for that one spot.  Splitting the limb was my fear over the long run, I'll keep an eye on the tips.

Bjorn, that's amazing!  Down the string groove, wow!  My tips are very nice so I am looking for this to be a great success.  

Thank you Tom and Bjorn for sharing your experiences, it is greatly appreciated!

Brad